Owensboro High School carpentry student Juan Quintana was surprised Wednesday morning with a 5’x8’ trailer, push mower, and more supplies to kickstart his own lawn mowing company. The entrepreneurial package was provided the “Blue Collar Dollar Award,” a new scholarship created by Cody and Trinity Rager of Rager Fencing & Lawn Care.
Quintana also received a string trimmer, several cans of fuel, and a gift card to a local hardware store.
“I don’t know how to explain how I feel,” Quintana said. “It’s something that has never happened to me before. It fills your heart, and I’m very grateful.”
The Ragers said they created the scholarship as a way to “pay it forward” after the support they’ve received for their company.
“When Trinity and I started our business, all we had was a 5’x8′ trailer, and a hand-me-down push mower and trimmer, and look where we’re at now,” Rager said. “This community has been good to us, and we wanted to return the favor and give it back to someone who deserves it.”
Owensboro carpentry teacher Nathan Meredith first learned about the scholarship opportunity when he and his students exhibited at the recent Owensboro Home Expo. He immediately began submitting student profiles to the Ragers for consideration.
While several quality applicants threw their names in the hat, the Ragers knew Quintana was the perfect candidate.
Accompanied by Merideth, Green River Building Industry Association Executive Officer Adam Hicks, and other community supporters, the Rager Fencing team presented the package to Quintana during one of his classes Wednesday morning.
Meredith spoke highly of Quintana, saying he would put the equipment to good use. Meredith has already lined up several clients for Quintana to launch his new business.
“Juan is an amazing young man and is most deserving of this opportunity,” Meredith said. “The Ragers have no idea how impactful this will be for this young man.”
Hicks applauded the Ragers’ efforts and the scholarship, saying it’s an innovative way to encourage youth to consider learning a trade.
“It feels good to help someone out, especially someone as deserving as Juan,” Rager said. “It was an emotional and heartwarming hand-off. It doesn’t get much better than this.”
He added that he’s looking forward to seeing Quintana use the trailer and equipment and that, hopefully, this will lay the groundwork for future success.
Quintana said he plans to get to work and to help others in the community as much as he can.
“I want to give back to the community because of people like the Ragers,” Quintana said. “They give out to people like us, and I think it should be returned.”
